'ROUTES IN PERSIA, Section 1.' [‎167v] (339/416)

288
No. 55.
Muhammerah to Djzful, via Shustar, Land Route.
Hkmabks.
becomes barren at about 13 miles.
Road, as before, along tbe right bank of the
Karun, the date palm ceases, and the country
becomes a treeless plain. At 6 miles pass
Rahwali, a tower on the river bank. Country
Large ponds are frequently met with, as tbe country is
liable to floods. At about 30 miles good grazing and water obtainable. If necessary, a halt
may be made half way.
Arab Camp . 24 61 Over partly cultivated plain with good pas
turage. Cross a disused canal. At 3 miles pass
a good dry camping ground with a large pond of
good water close by. At 6 miles Saha, a few mud
huts on the bank of the river, which is here at least 150 yards wide. Through cultivation
(wheat and barley) and past numerous Arab encampments.
Amiea or Kut 13 74 At 9 miles reach tbe Ummut Temr ferry, where
Omika. there is a small village, from which an Arab boat
daily sails to Ahwaz, making the trip in three hours.
The river is about 80 yards wide and 18' deep.
It is crossed by a small ferry boat capable of transporting about a ton at a time. Pass Isla,
a small vilWe in the bend of the river. The plain along the left bank is well cultivated.
At 13 miles, island and small village of Amira. Up to Ummut Temr the route has fol
lowed the right bank of river. For alternative stages up left bank, see end of this route.
Along the river bank. At 3 miles pass Kut
Abdula ; then several high mounds, which might
form a line of defence ; gravel and sandstone now
take the place of the alluvial soil hitherto marched
over. Ahwaz is a poor' village' of 300 or 400 inhabitants; supplies procurable in small
quantities. For further details, vide Persian Gazetteer Yol. III.
6 1 Wais • 11 93 Skirt the river and pass the low range which
stretches E. The wheat cultivation about here is
excellent. After a mile or so the road leaves the
river and runs across a hard level plain. At
about 7 miles cross a disused canal 100' wide and 5' deep, and 1 mile from Wais another
canal with water in it. Wais is a small village with about 200 inhabitants, on the hank of
the Karun, which is here about 275 yards wide. A ferry is maintained here. Wais is the
limit of the Shekh of Muhammarah’s authority.
Ahwaz
8
82
220 '.
Band-i-Kib
300'.
12 105 Above Wais the light alluvial soil is well fitted
for cultivation, but there is not much of it,
though on the right bank the plain is well
cultivated. The country generally is treeless.
At 5 miles pass Khana Naban, a small village. Road so far hard and good; opposite Band-
i-Kir the left arm of the Karun (Ab-i-Boliti or Ab-i-Gerger) is crossed by ferry boat.
Band-i-Kir is an Arab village with about 300 inhabitants. Good grazing and cultivation
around.
8
Daulatabad
11
116 Road over the level plain between the two arms
of the Karun. At 2 miles the plain becomes
undulating; at 5 miles incline W. to avoid a
( swamp about 2 miles long and 1 broad. At 8
A good deal of cultivation about. Four miles to the W.
steep and barren hills arise. Daulatabad is a wretched Arab village. The road from
Band-i-Kir is good and might be rapidly improved.
miles strike the Daulatabad road.